Locating the Reality of the Social Contract Theory and the Failed State Concept in Nigeria’s Governance

Abstract

Fifty-four (54) years after Nigeria gained political independence, the country has not translated her enormous human and natural resources to expected economic development measured in GDP per capita. Poverty became widespread, the incidence rising from 27.2 in 1980 to 46.3 in 1985 to 42.7 in 1992 to 65.6 in 1996 and 69.0 in 2010. Poverty manifestations include decaying infrastructure, child abuse/labour/trafficking, cultism, brain-drain, insecurity, industrial unrest, ‘sorting’, handout, examination
malpractice, certificate racketeering, indecent dressing and seduction, poor attitude to work, embezzlement of public fund, extortion by uniformed men, degrading environment, among others. This review study adopts the critical research method to locate the reality of the Social Contract Theory and the Failed State Concept in Nigeria’s situation. It concludes that Nigeria has lost the 20th century to leadership ineptitude and recommends a sovereign national conference.